HALL OF FAME

​"It seems fitting as we enter the 21st Century, still dealing with the unfinished business of racism, to honor those exemplary persons of the 19th Century who dedicated their fortunes, their efforts, and, in some cases, their lives to the accomplishments of equal rights for all humans."

How do we choose the inductees?

Inductees are selected biennially via a public nomination process. The Inductee Committee of the NAHOFM Cabinet of Freedom initially examines the nominations to ascertain their compliance with the nomination requirements. An external panel well-acquainted with abolitionist scholarship evaluates the nominations. Using the external reviews, the Inductee Committee makes recommendations to the Cabinet of Freedom. The Cabinet of Freedom makes the final determination.

How do I nominate an inductee?

You can find a copy of the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum public nomination form here. The deadline for nominations for the induction in October 2020 has passed. The next deadline for nominations is on January 31, 2021 for induction in October 2022.

Who can I contact for more information?

How do we honor the inductees?

The Hall of Fame presents a banner for each of the abolition inductees. At the October commemoration ceremonies, a banner for each inductee is unveiled by persons and organizations affiliated with the inductee. These persons have been relatives, biographers, members of associated organizations, etc. The New York Council for the Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, has also supported these banner projects. Text on the panel includes brief information on the life, work, and legacy of the inductee. This information is composed by the public nominators, NAHOFM scholars, and association teams. After the commemoration unveiling, the banners are added to the banner assembly in the Hall of Fame in Peterboro, NY.